Thursday, October 26, 2006

Comic book fans will get the rare chance to sit down with one of the hottest writers in comics this weekend.

Geoff Johns will be the guest of honor at a Norman fundraising dinner to benefit the Christopher Reeve Foundation on Oct. 28. The dinner will be one of only two appearances Johns will make during a short visit to Oklahoma.

"The Christopher Reeve Foundation is doing ground-breaking research in a field that is important to me and millions of others," Johns said.

"Christopher Reeve served as inspiration to all of us, overcoming his tragic accident to do work that will benefit all of mankind."

Johns is one of the hottest creators in comics. He is currently writing "Green Lantern," "Teen Titans," and "52," a weekly comic series exploring what happens when DC's three biggest heroes -- Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman -- step aside for a year.

Johns is also joining forces with legendary director Richard Donner for a new Superman storyline in "Action Comics" in October. Donner, who directed 1979's "Superman: The Movie," starring Reeve, will co-write the book with Johns.

Last month, Johns won a Wizard Fan Award for Best Writer in Comics and is widely considered one of the top creators in the field. He was also consulting producer on the "Blade" TV show.Johns, who lives in Southern California, said he is excited about visiting Oklahoma.

"I like doing the convention circuit, but it's more rewarding to meet fans in their hometowns, on their own turf. It's more fun that way!" Johns said.

Attendance to the fundraiser, which will be held at a Norman restaurant, will be limited to only 10 people. The charity dinner is planned in conjunction with an exclusive signing at Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman.

"We wanted to keep the number of guests small. This ensures that the dinner remains intimate, and that everyone who attends will get to visit with Geoff," said Annette Price, owner of Speeding Bullet, which is sponsoring the dinner. "Getting a writer of Geoff's caliber to this part of the country is not something that happens everyday, and will be a real treat for fans."

Tickets to the dinner are $200 each, with 100 percent of the money raised benefiting the foundation and its research. Guests will be asked to make their checks directly to the Christopher Reeve Foundation. Tickets are tax-deductible and can only be purchased at Speeding Bullet.

People are urged to buy their tickets as soon as possible. Tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

The dinner will be from 8 to 10 p.m., following the store signing that day from 3 to 6 p.m. The store signing is free, however, fans are encouraged to arrive early, as heavy attendance is expected.

The Christopher Reeve Foundation, founded in part by Christopher Reeve, is recognized as the premier spinal cord injury research organization throughout the world.

Speeding Bullet will also donate 52 cents to the Christopher Reeve Foundation for every issue of "52" No. 1 sold. The comic retails for $2.50.

Speeding Bullet is one of the top comics shops in the Southwest and was honored with a Will Eisner Spirit of Retailing nomination in 2005.